Which one of the following regions is called as "lungs of the planet"?

The correct answer is Option (2) → Amazon rain forest

Option (1) Lake Victoria in East Africa — Incorrect. Lake Victoria is known for an alien species invasion. The Nile perch introduced into it led to the extinction of more than 200 species of cichlid fish.

Option (2) Amazon rain forest — Correct. This tropical rain forest of South America is very large. By photosynthesis it takes in a huge amount of carbon dioxide and gives out oxygen, so it is compared to lungs. It is now an example of habitat loss, as it is being cut down.

Option (3) Western Ghats and Sri Lanka — Incorrect. This region is a biodiversity hotspot. A hotspot has very high species richness and many endemic species, that is, species found nowhere else.

Option (4) Himalaya and Indo-Burma regions — Incorrect. These are the other two biodiversity hotspots that cover India’s rich biodiversity regions. They are not called the lungs of the planet.

NCERT Extract:
Loss of Biodiversity – …